Cairo Stadium has chosen Philips Lighting, a Royal Philips company and global leader in lighting, to install its ArenaVision LED pitch lighting system. The Cairo Stadium is the first venue in Africa to use Philips ArenaVision LED lighting which equips it with the flexibility needed as a multi-purpose venue. This innovative LED lighting enables Cairo Stadium to create light shows and highlight certain parts of the stadium for different events as well as meet stringent lighting standards for broadcasting.

Cairo Stadium is an indoor sports complex comprising four Olympic-standard, multi-use sporting arenas with a capacity of 120,000 spectators. The 2016 African Men’s Handball Championship was the first event to benefit from the Philips ArenaVision LED pitch lighting. This will increase the stadium’s potential to participate in international sports tournaments by meeting required lighting standards for broadcasting. Philips ArenaVision LED lighting supports high definition, super slow-motion replays, avoiding the flicker synonymous with conventional lamps. Also, unlike the previous metal halide system, the new LED system can be instantly switched on and off without the need for a warm up period.

“Tamer Abol Ghar, Philips Lighting’s General Manager for Africa and Country Manager Egypt, commented, “The Cairo Stadium is the one of the largest stadiums in Africa and is leading the way in using digital LED lighting to cater for multi-purpose venues - from behind the scenes precision lighting for maintenance to show stopping lighting that captures action on the pitch or at concerts for broadcasters. He continued, “As one of the key markets in Africa, Egypt was selected to introduce the Philips ArenaVision LED lighting system to support the Egyptian Government’s strategy to reduce energy consumption.”

With 160 LED floodlights, the new system will save up to 50% more energy than the previous system. The unique design of the new Philips ArenaVision pitch lighting system offers a wide range of advantages including: low maintenance costs due to the longer life of the LED lighting system; better lighting conditions for players; and an instant on/off switch that allows seamless switching between different types of events and themes during games and other entertainment shows. Philips’ team in Egypt replaced the existing conventional floodlights with the Philips ArenaVision LED system at Cairo Stadium in under four months. 

Philips ArenaVision LED lighting installed in Cairo, Egypt. (All photos courtesy of Philips)

“The new Philips LED lighting system can be used for entertainment shows, exhibitions, as well as opening ceremonies of international sporting events,” said Yasser Abdolmoneim Aly, Cairo Stadium Covered Halls Complex Manager. “Philips LED lighting enables high definition, flicker-free TV broadcasting, it also provides around 50% energy savings in comparison to the conventional lighting used. This opens up commercial opportunities to relay events at the Stadium to new audiences via multiple channels from TV to Internet,” he added.

Philips Lighting and the Cairo Stadium have a long-term partnership that dates back to 1991 when Philips Lighting installed the first Philips ArenaVision conventional floodlights in Africa. Today, Philips Lighting continues to build on its long legacy in the Egyptian market by providing advanced lighting systems and services to reduce energy consumption and illuminate iconic landmarks and famous buildings across Egypt such as the Pyramids. In recent years, Philips Lighting reinforced its position as the global leader in LED lighting by lighting up the Cairo Opera House in 2015, preceded by a similar lighting initiative with Egypt’s renowned Baron Palace in Heliopolis in 2014. The projects have reduced electricity consumption by 80% at both the Cairo Opera House and the historic palace. 

Philips ArenaVision LED lighting installed in Cairo, Egypt.